We first encountered Diogo scavenging for food in a trash bin, a moment that shocked us all when he turned to face us. His face, tragically damaged by insect bites, was a sight of suffering.
To get a clearer picture of his condition, I took Diogo to the hospital. X-rays revealed two gunshot wounds in his legs. Astonishingly, one bullet had passed through his cheek.
Tests indicated a severe infection and critically low hematocrit levels. The numerous ticks on his body suggested he might be suffering from a disease called ehrlichiosis.
While waiting for the doctor’s assessment, we gave Diogo a thorough bath. Because of his facial wound, a significant amount of fluid drained, covering his entire body.
Diogo has a considerable amount of dead tissue that needs to be removed, so we regularly change his dressings. To help stabilize him for surgery to clean his wounds, he will receive a blood transfusion as soon as possible.
It’s heartbreaking to imagine the pain Diogo endured to reach this point. We trust our team of doctors and specialists completely and are committed to doing everything possible to save his life.
After surgery, his face was swollen, but fortunately, his remaining eye was perfectly intact. Diogo has shown incredible resilience and has made significant progress since the day we rescued him.
He is still under round-the-clock care, but we eagerly anticipate the day when this sweet boy finds a loving home. He truly deserves all the best that life has to offer!
